The Wildcats, their season-opener, got out to a quick 4-1 lead after two innings. An RBI single in the first put Johnson & Wales on top early, followed by a three-run homer off the bat of senior Nick Alosco in the second to go up 4-1.

After a scoreless third, the Captains got a lead-off triple from Steven Lindemuth, who scored two batters later when Steven Keener doubled. Connor Madden also stroked a double in the inning, scoring Keener to pull CNU back within one, 4-3.

Senior right-hander Austin Lindley pitched the middle three innings and struck out six for the Captains in relief. Lindley was pitching as the Captains took the lead in the fifth, when Luke Saunders and Ben Lenda opened the inning with a pair of singles. Saunders scored on a fielders choice before Shoemaker stepped up and tripled home Lenda.

The Wildcats tied it up again in the bottom half of the fifth on a bases loaded walk, but CNU added one in the top of the sixth to take the lead for good. Madden doubled to open the inning and Drue Vernon doubled him home to put CNU on top, 6-5.

Shoemaker's solo home run in the seventh would wrap up the scoring in the game, and sophomore Richard Lindsay gave up just three hits with six strikeouts in three innings of work to close out the win and the save.

Shoemaker led the way, going 2-for-3 with a pair of runs scored and two RBI. Madden was also 2-for-3 with two RBI and a run scored. Lindley recorded the win, going 3.0 innings, allowing four hits, one run and six strikeouts.

Johnson & Wales lost their season opener despite five multi-hit games.

CNU improves to 9-1 overall and will return to action tomorrow as the team travels to Piedmont College for a 3:00 pm game in Georgia.